Caitlyn Jenner has faced a fierce backlash from furious social media users after she hit out at transgender swimmer Lia Thomas for lacking “integrity” by competing against women.
Thomas, who transitioned from male to female, has been part of the University of Pennsylvania’s women’s swimming team and has shattered records in the sport.
The 22-year-old UPenn student destroyed records in both the 200-metre freestyle and 500-metre freestyle, which prompted a heated debate around trans athletes competing in women’s sports.
Despite the fierce criticism over her record-breaking feats, Thomas dominated in two races in a meet against Ivy League rivals Harvard University this month.
Thomas crushed her opponents in the 100-yard freestyle by posting a time of 50.55 seconds, which put her well clear of her nearest rival’s time of 51.51.
And the trans swimmer also posted an impressive 1:47.08 time in the 200-yard freestyle, with her nearest competitor finishing second with 1:48.44.
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Jenner, who officially transitioned from male to female in 2015, has spoken out against the idea of trans athletes competing in women’s sports.
The 72-year-old Olympic legend insisted that she is a “common-sense person” and ‘respects’ Thomas’ rights to “live her life authentically.”
However, Jenner claimed that it is “bad for the trans community” when “biological boys [are] competing against women.”
Speaking to GB News, she said: “I’m a common-sense person. Obviously, in the case of Lia Thomas, it’s not working. She’s beating the women by two laps -- only three years ago she was on the men’s team.
“I think, to be honest, with you they got to change the rules.”
Jenner added: “We cannot have biological boys competing against women. It’s bad for the trans community.”
Thomas’ participation in women’s sports has sparked criticism from parents of UPenn swimmers, as the NCAA reviewed its rules on male athletes who transition into females.
However, the NCAA plans not to interfere in the heated debate around trans athletes in college sports.
Each sport’s national governing body will now have the final say on whether trans athletes are eligible to compete in non-college sports.
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Speaking on Thomas, Jenner called out the swimmer for lacking “responsibility” and “integrity” after transitioning from male to female.
“When you do transition and you do go through this, you have to take responsibility and you have to have integrity. I don’t know why she’s doing this,” she said.
“I respect her right 100 per cent to live her life authentically, but I don’t think she’s being responsible with this.
“We need to take a strong stance with something like this. There’s so few trans athletes and it’s affecting all of women’s sports and it’s just not fair.
“I feel like I’m on the right side. When you have this woke world that we’re living in right now, no matter what you do they’re going to come after you. I stand on my position when it comes to trans athletes.”
Jenner, who failed in her bid to become governor of California, has been met with ruthless criticism from social media users in recent days.
Topics: Lia Thomas, Swimming
Adnan Riaz